Laminated cards with manual input interfaces

ABSTRACT

A laminated card is provided with manual input interfaces. Such manual input interfaces may provide tactile feedback to a user. Laminated cards may be provided as payment cards, identification cards, medical cards, or any other type of card.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Nos. 61/166,909 filed on Apr. 6, 2009, 61/220,501 filed onJun. 25, 2009, 61/234,406 filed on Aug. 17, 2009, and 61/247,143 filedon Sep. 30, 2009, all of which are hereby incorporated by referenceherein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to magnetic cards and devices and associatedpayment systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A card may include a dynamic magnetic communications device. Such adynamic magnetic communications device may take the form of a magneticencoder or a magnetic emulator. A magnetic encoder may change theinformation located on a magnetic medium such that a magnetic stripereader may read changed magnetic information from the magnetic medium. Amagnetic emulator may generate electromagnetic fields that directlycommunicate data to a magnetic stripe reader. Such a magnetic emulatormay communicate data serially to a read-head of the magnetic stripereader.

All, or substantially all, of the front as well as the back of a cardmay be a display (e.g., bi-stable, non bi-stable, LCD, or electrochromicdisplay). Electrodes of a display may be coupled to one or morecapacitive touch sensors such that a display may be provided as atouch-screen display. Any type of touch-screen display may be utilized.Such touch-screen displays may be operable of determining multiplepoints of touch.

Laminated cards, such as payment cards, identification cards, or medicalcards, are provided any may be laminated in a variety of ways. Forexample, a card may be laminated by applying multiple sheets of laminateover each other and then fixing these sheets together via pressure andtemperature. Cavities may be formed by creating apertures in eachindividual sheets. Components of a card may be placed in these apertures(e.g., dynamic magnetic stripe communications devices). Manual inputinterfaces (e.g., mechanical buttons and capacitive sensors) may beplaced on different layers such that such manual input interfaces arecloser to a particular surface of a card. Apertures may be made betweenany two layers of a card and any component (e.g., dynamic magneticstripe communications devices or mechanical buttons) may be placed insuch apertures.

A soft laminate that later hardens may be placed over the exteriorlayers of such multiple-layer laminates in order to provide smoothexterior surfaces.

As per another example, lamination may be provided where a soft material(e.g., a liquid) is injected between two polymer layers. The softmaterial may harden between the two layers. For example, the softmaterial may react with another material (e.g., a second soft materialinjected between the layers) to harder. Accordingly, the electricalcomponents of a card may be completely surrounded and immersed by suchone or more soft materials (e.g., one or more liquids) such that thatthe stability of the card is increased after the soft materials harden.In providing a soft laminate (e.g., a liquid) that hardens, the softmaterial may be provided between components that may otherwise not beprotected if an aperture is cut into layers. Accordingly, additionallaminate may be placed into a card—thus increasing the structuralstability of the card.

Manual user interfaces may be provided in cavities. In doing so, forexample, the manual user interfaces may be protected from the laminationprocess. Furthermore, the manual user interfaces may be more sensitiveto receiving manual input.

Methods for forming cavities are provided. For example, a cylindricalmaterial having a manual user interface inside the cylinder may beadhered at each end to a polymer layer. A soft laminate may then beinjected between the layers to form a card. This soft laminate may thenharden. The cylinder may, for example, provide an enclosed cavity suchthat the soft laminate does not enter into the cavity.

Numerous manual input interfaces are provided. For example, manual inputinterfaces are provided that are mechanical switches (e.g., domeswitches and/or piezoelectric switches), capacitive switches (e.g.,capacitive touch sensors), and light switches (e.g., light sensors).

Systems and methods are provided in order to increase the sensitivity ofvarious types of switches inside of laminated cards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The principles and advantages of the present invention can be moreclearly understood from the following detailed description considered inconjunction with the following drawings, in which the same referencenumerals denote the same structural elements throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of cards constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a card having manual input interfacesconstructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a card having manual input interfacesconstructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a card having manual input interfaces withmechanical feedback constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a card having a manual input interface withmechanical feedback constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a card having a manual input interface withoptical feedback constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a card having manual input interfacesincluding light sensors constructed in accordance with the principles ofthe present invention;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a card having manual input interfacesincluding light sensors with light blockers constructed in accordancewith the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a card having a manual input interfacelocated under a structural protrusion constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a card having a manual input interfacelocated under a structural trough constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a card having a piezoelectric based switchconstructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows card 100 that may include, for example, a dynamic numberthat may be entirely, or partially, displayed via display 112. A dynamicnumber may include a permanent portion such as, for example, permanentportion 111. Permanent portion 111 may be printed as well as embossed orlaser etched on card 100. Multiple displays may be provided on a card.For example, display 113 may be utilized to display a dynamic code suchas a dynamic security code. Display 125 may also be provided to displaylogos, barcodes, or multiple lines of information. A display may be abi-stable display or non bi-stable display. Permanent information 120may also be included and may include information such as informationspecific to a user (e.g., a user's name or username) or informationspecific to a card (e.g., a card issue date and/or a card expirationdate). Card 100 may include one or more buttons such as buttons 130-134.Such buttons may be mechanical buttons, capacitive buttons, or acombination or mechanical and capacitive buttons. Manual input interface135 may be provided. Manual input interface 135 may include a cavitythat includes a switch inside of the cavity. Card 100 may be provided byplacing the electronics of card 100 between two polymer sheets andinjecting one or more liquid laminates that harden within a particularperiod of time. For example, the one or more liquid laminates may reactwith each other, the environment (e.g., air), or another variable (e.g.,temperature) to harden.

Architecture 150 may be utilized with any card. Architecture 150 mayinclude processor 120. Processor 120 may have on-board memory forstoring information (e.g., application code). Any number of componentsmay communicate to processor 120 and/or receive communications fromprocessor 120. For example, one or more displays (e.g., display 140) maybe coupled to processor 120. Persons skilled in the art will appreciatethat components may be placed between particular components andprocessor 120. For example, a display driver circuit may be coupledbetween display 140 and processor 120. Memory 142 may be coupled toprocessor 120. Memory 142 may include data that is unique to aparticular card. For example, memory 142 may include a user-specific andcard-specific data (e.g., name and/or account number).

Any number of reader communication devices may be included inarchitecture 150. For example, IC chip 150 may be included tocommunicate information to an IC chip reader. IC chip 150 may be, forexample, an EMV chip. As per another example, RFID 151 may be includedto communicate information to an RFID reader. A magnetic stripecommunications device may also be included to communicate information toa magnetic stripe reader. Such a magnetic stripe communications devicemay provide electromagnetic signals to a magnetic stripe reader.Different electromagnetic signals may be communicated to a magneticstripe reader to provide different tracks of data. For example,electromagnetic field generators 170, 180, and 185 may be included tocommunicate separate tracks of information to a magnetic stripe reader.Such electromagnetic field generators may include a coil wrapped aroundone or more materials (e.g., a soft-magnetic material and a non-magneticmaterial). Each electromagnetic field generator may communicateinformation serially to a receiver of a magnetic stripe reader forparticular magnetic stripe track. Read-head detectors 171 and 172 may beutilized to sense the presence of a magnetic stripe reader (e.g., aread-head housing of a magnetic stripe reader). This sensed informationmay be communicated to processor 120 to cause processor 120 tocommunicate information serially from electromagnetic generators 170,180, and 185 to magnetic stripe track receivers in a read-head housingof a magnetic stripe reader. Accordingly, a magnetic stripecommunications device may change the information communicated to amagnetic stripe reader at any time. Processor 120 may, for example,communicate user-specific and card-specific information through RFID151, IC chip 150, and electromagnetic generators 170, 180, and 185 tocard readers coupled to remote information processing servers (e.g.,purchase authorization servers). Driving circuitry 141 may be utilizedby processor 120, for example, to control electromagnetic generators170, 180, and 185. Manual input interface 192 may be provided. Manualinput interface 192, or any manual input interface, may include a cavitythat includes a switch inside of the cavity.

FIG. 2 shows cavities 210, 220, and 230. A cavity may be provided in avariety of shapes. For example, a cavity may take a cylindrical,cubical, tetrahedron, prism, cone, pyramid, spherical, semi-sphericalform, or any other three-dimensional shape (e.g., a three-dimensionalrectangle). Cavities may be formed in multiple ways. For example,cavities may be cut into a card. A card may be cut (e.g., etched orgrinded) to a particular depth to form a cavity. One or more electricalconnections may be provided at that depth so when the card is cut, theelectrical connections are exposed. Components may be added to thecavity to form a mechanical button using the exposed components. Forexample, a dome may be provided with a contact on top of the interior ofthe dome that bridges two electrical contacts exposed at the button ofthe cut card. Accordingly, a user pressing down on the dome wouldconnect the two conductive contacts and allow an electrical signal topass. A cover may then be placed over the dome or, for example, thespace above the dome may be filled with one or more soft laminates thatlater harden to provide a hard laminate.

Cavities may be formed while the card is being formed. Moreparticularly, a material may be placed (e.g., materials 231 and 232) toform a cavity by prohibiting laminate material from getting inside ofthe cavity. Accordingly, for example, one or more soft laminatematerials may be injected between layers 202 and 201 and be blocked bymaterials 231 and 232 from entering cavity 230. Manual input interfacesmay be placed in cavities. For example, a dome switch may be provided inthe cavity. A cavity may also take the shape of a cube or rectangularprism.

FIG. 3 shows cavities 310, 320, and 330 inside of hard laminate 390 andlayers 301 and 302. Mechanical switch 311 is provided inside of cavity310. Mechanical switch 311 may include contact 312 and 313. Accordingly,the closing of mechanical switch 311 may result in contacts 312 and 313electrically coupling. In turn, for example, a current may flow betweencontacts 312 and 313 (or a voltage may be held across contacts 312 and313). Alternatively, for example, any switch may be similar to switch399, where an electrical signal may communicate between contacts 394 and395 when bridged by conductive material 393. Such electrical signals maybe utilized as control signals (e.g., by a processor). Board 303 mayinclude, for example, the interconnect between components.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a mechanical switch mayhave several contacts. For example, two contacts may be provided beneathcontact 312 in order to increase the sensitivity of mechanical switch311. Mechanical switch 322 may be provided in cavity 320. Mechanicalswitch 322 may include one or more contacts 321 and 323. Persons skilledin the art will appreciate that mechanical switches may be provided asdome switches or any other type of switch (e.g., flat membraneswitches). Any number of manual input interfaces may be provided on anysurface of a card. For example one surface of a card may include fivemanual input interfaces while another surface of a card may include onemanual input interface. Different types of manual input interfaces maybe provided on a card. For example, one surface of a card may have onemechanical switch and five capacitive touch sensors. The mechanicalswitch may be utilized, for example, to begin sensing for manual inputfrom the five capacitive touch sensors. In doing so, for example, powerconsumption is decreased while sensitivity is increased across the sixmanual input interfaces. Cavity 330 may be provided by adhering laminateblocking materials to both layers 301 and 302. Such a laminate blockingmaterial may take the form of, for example, a cylinder, cube, orrectangular prism. A laminate blocking material may be adhered to onelayer of layers 301 and 302 and still provide a cavity (e.g., thelaminate blocking material may be provided as a semi-sphere having acavity inside. Mechanical switch 333 may be provided and includecontacts 334 and 335. Multiple types of manual input interfaces may beprovided in a cavity. For example, a capacitive touch sensor may beprovided in a cavity. Multiple different manual input interfaces forreceiving different manual inputs may be provided in a single cavity(e.g., two mechanical switches may be provided in a cavity).

FIG. 4 shows card 400 that may include, for example, manual interface410. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that one or morepiezoelectric components (e.g., piezoelectric components 441 and 442)may be positioned around a manual interface. Electrical signals may beapplied to components 441 and 442 to cause those components tomechanically distort. Accordingly, components 441 and 442 may becontrolled via electrical signals to vibrate. Accordingly, a manual userinterface may detect the reception of manual input. This control signalmay be forwarded to a processor. In turn, the processor may causepiezoelectric components 441 and 442 to mechanically distort or vibrate.In doing so, a user may receive tactile feedback that manual input wasreceived by a manual input interface. Additionally, for example, apiezoelectric switch may be provided. In this manner, a piezoelectriccomponent may be bent or compressed by a manual input. This compressionor bending may cause, for example, the piezoelectric component toproduce an electrical signal. The component may be coupled to aprocessor such that the processor may utilize this signal to determinethat the card has received a manual input. Accordingly, the processormay perform a function based on the manual input received. For example,the processor may change the data communicated through a dynamicmagnetic stripe communications device as a result of receiving signalsfrom different switches and/or different signals from the same switch.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that an injected softlaminate may be hardened in a number of ways. For example, a chemicalmay be injected with the soft laminate such that the soft laminatehardens in the presence of the chemical. A soft laminate may behardened, for example, via temperature and/or pressure changes.

FIG. 5 shows card 500 that may include, for example, polymer layers 501and 502. Boards 510 and 530 may be provided with manual input interface505 placed between boards 510 and 530. A board may be provided, forexample, in FR4. A board may be non-flexible or flexible and may includeinterconnections as well as terminals for receiving electricalcomponents. A board, for example, may be a multiple-layer, flexibleprinted circuit board. A board may be a single layer, flexible circuitboard with printing on both sides of the single-layer. Piezoelectriccomponent 520 may be coupled to boards 510 and 530 to receive electricalsignals. For example, board 510 may provide a voltage to a contact plateacross one side of piezoelectric component 520 and board 530 may providea different voltage to a different contact plate across another side ofpiezoelectric component 520. The rigidity differences between board 510,board 530, and piezoelectric component 520 may direct kinetic forcesonto manual input interface 505 when layer 501 is pressed in theproximity of manual input interface 505. Piezoelectric component 520 maycomprise, for example, one or more layers of piezoelectric materialssandwiched between two layers of conductive material. Piezoelectriccomponent 520 may be, for example, a piezoelectric disk.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the height of card 500,or any card, may be less than approximately 30 to 33 thousandths of aninch (e.g., less than approximately 33 mils). The height of layers 502and 501 may be less than, for example, approximately 1 to 3 thousandthsof an inch (e.g., less than approximately 3 thousandths of an inch).

FIG. 6 shows card 600 that may include layer 601, board 610, board 630,manual input interface 605, light source 620, and speaker 640. Aprocessor detecting a control signal from manual input interface 605may, for example, cause light source 620 to emit light and/or speaker640 to emit a sound. Accordingly, audible or visual information may beprovided to a user to confirm that a manual input interface has receivedmanual input.

Light source 620 may emit, for example, light constantly or periodically(e.g., light source 620 may blink). Alternatively, for example, lightsource 620 may emit light constantly for a period of time (e.g., underapproximately 15 seconds such as approximately 10 seconds) and thenblink for a period of time (e.g. under approximately 20 seconds, such asapproximately 10 seconds). In doing so, for example, the amount of powerutilized may be decreased. Light source 620 may be, for example, a lightemitting diode. A source of electrical energy may be provided in card600 such as, for example, a battery (e.g., a lithium polymer battery).

FIG. 7 shows card 700 that may include light sensors 710, 720, and 730.Light sensors 730 may detect manual input, for example, by detecting theabsence of light. For example, light sensors 710, 720, and 730 may eachprovide a control signal back to a processor indicative of whether thelight sensor receives light (or an amount of light). The processor maythen determine whether light is sensed (e.g., by comparing an amount oflight to a threshold). If, for example, all three buttons sense light,then light sensor may translate one of the buttons losing light (whilethe other two buttons receiving light) as someone has placed theirfinger over the light sensor. In doing so, a manual input interface isprovided based on light.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that components, such aslight sensors or light sources, may be electrically coupled to aflexible printed circuit board in a variety of ways. For example, thecomponents may be electrically coupled using surface mount techniques,wire-bonding techniques, and/or flip-chip assembly techniques. Multiplelight sensors may be placed within the vicinity of one another to detectthe presence of a finger. For example, two light sensors may be placednext to one another. A processor may determine a light button has beenactivated when, for example, both such light sensors fail to detectlight or the amount of light sensed by such light sensors is different,by at least a particular amount, of the light sensed by other lightsensors located in the card.

FIG. 8 shows card 800 that may include light sensors 810, 820, and 830.Light blockers 811, 812, 821, 822, 831, and 832 may be provided. Suchlight blockers may prohibit light from reaching light sensor 820 fromparticular angles. In doing so, for example, a light sensor may befocused on a particular area of a surface of card 800. Person skilled inthe art will appreciate that light sensors and/or light sources may beprovided on both sides of board 801. In doing so, for example, aprocessor may determine the amount of light reaching both sides of card800. For example, the processor may utilize signals from light sensorsto determine when the card is located in an enclosed area (e.g., awallet) or is sitting against an object (e.g., a table).

FIG. 9 shows card 900 that may include protrusion 910 above manual inputinterface 920. Protrusion 910 may be utilized to direct a person to theplace where a manual user interface is located as well as direct forceonto manual interface 920. Protrusion 910 may be, for example, molded aspart of card 900, pressed into card 900 (e.g., pressed behind manualinput interface 920, or cut out of card 900 (e.g., by cutting or laseretching around manual input interface 910). Protrusion 910 may take anyshape. For example, protrusion 910 may be circular, rectangular, asquare, an oval. The top of protrusion 910 may be flat and may extendfrom the surface at a card at substantially a 90 degree angle. Thetopography of protrusion 910, however, may change with respect toheight. For example, protrusion 910 may have the shape of a pyramid ordome. The height of protrusion 910 may, for example, extend the heightof a card that is approximately between 30 and 33 thousandths of an inchto approximately 34 to 41 thousandths of an inch. Accordingly, theheight of protrusion 910 may be between, for example, approximately 1thousandths of an inch to 11 thousandths of an inch (e.g., less thanapproximately 4 thousandths of an inch). Protrusion 910 may allow auser, for example, to locate a manual input interface without looking atcard 900.

FIG. 10 shows card 1000 that may include cavity 1020 above manual inputinterface 1010. Cavity 1020 may be utilized to direct a person to theplace where a manual user interface is located as well as direct forceonto manual interface 1010. Cavity 1020 may be, for example, molded aspart of card 1000, pressed into card 1000, or cut out of card 1000.Cavity 1020 may take any shape. For example, cavity 1020 may becircular, rectangular, a square, an oval. The bottom of cavity 1020 maybe flat and may extend from the surface at a card at substantially a 90degree angle. The topography of cavity 1020, however, may change withrespect to height. For example, cavity 1020 may have the shape of anupside-down pyramid or dome. The height of cavity 1020 may, for example,reduce the height of a card at the cavity to approximately between 30and 33 thousandths of an inch to approximately 15 to 32 thousandths ofan inch. Accordingly, the height of cavity 1020 may be between, forexample, approximately 1 thousandths of an inch to 8 thousandths of aninch (e.g., less than approximately 4 thousandths of an inch). Cavity1020 may allow a user, for example, to locate a manual input interfacewithout looking at card 1000.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a card may have bothcavities and protrusions on either, or both, sides of a card. Similarly,for example, manual input interfaces (e.g., mechanical or capacitivebutton) may be provided on either, or both, sides of a card (or otherdevice). For example, buttons with cavities may be placed on one side ofa card while buttons with protrusions may be placed on the other side ofthe card. As per one example, particular buttons on one side of a cardmay be aligned with protrusions while other particular buttons on thatsame side of the card may be aligned with cavities. For example, abutton that turns a card ON and OFF may have a protrusion while otherbuttons for receiving manual input indicative of information may havecavities. Similarly, a button may be provided with no cavity orprotrusion such that the surface of a card over a button lies flat withrespect to the rest of that surface of the card. Persons skilled in theart will appreciate that a card or other device may be provided that isflexible that includes a flexible electronic board, electroniccomponents, flexible buttons, flexible polymer layers, and flexibleother laminates. Indicia (e.g., letters, words, logos, pictures) may beprovided on either side of a card, on the top surface of a protrusion,or the button of a cavity. Such indicia may be, for example, printed,laser engraved, or embossed. Persons skilled in the art will appreciatethat a card may be a credit, debit, pre-paid, or gift card. A customer'sname and payment card number may be provided as indicia on a card (e.g.,on an obverse side of a card). Magnetic stripe data associated with thecustomer (e.g., a payment card number and associated discretionary data)may be communicated from a dynamic magnetic stripe communicationsdevice, RFID, and/or IC chip that may be exposed on the surface of acard. Such printing, laser engraving, and/or embossing may be provided,for example, after a soft laminate utilized to form a card hardens. Adome switch may be directly connected to a processor. Additionalcircuitry may be provided between a dome switch and a processor.

FIG. 11 shows card 1100 that may include, for example, cavity 1130,piezoelectronic component 1122, board 1101, bending structure 1121, andbending structure 1123. Bending structures 1123 and 1121 may beutilized, for example, to assist piezoelectronic component 1122 to bepressed at a preferred angle. Persons skilled in the art will appreciatethat a piezoelectronic component may be configured to produce anelectrical signal when compressed or may be configured to produce anelectrical signal when bent. Accordingly, structures may be added toassist in compressing or bending one or more piezoelectric components inparticular ways when forces are provided on particular areas of a card.

Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the presentinvention is not limited to only the embodiments described. Instead, thepresent invention more generally involves dynamic information and manualinterfaces in devices and laminated cards. Persons skilled in the artwill also appreciate that the apparatus of the present invention may beimplemented in other ways then those described herein. All suchmodifications are within the scope of the present invention, which islimited only by the claims that follow.

1. A payment card comprising: a first layer of polymer; a second layerof polymer; a material adhered to said first layer and second layer,wherein a cavity is provided by said adhered material and a mechanicalswitch is provided in said cavity; and a hardened material locatedbetween said first layer and second layer, wherein said hardenedmaterial hardened while being located between said first layer and saidsecond layer.
 2. The payment card of claim 1, wherein said cavity is theshape of a dome.
 3. The payment card of claim 1, wherein personalpayment card information is printed on the exterior of said first layerof polymer.
 4. The payment card of claim 1, further comprising aprocessor and a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device.
 5. Thepayment card of claim 1, further comprising an IC chip, wherein asurface of said IC chip is exposed and aligned with the surface of saidfirst layer.
 6. The payment card of claim 1, further comprising an RFID.7. A payment card comprising: a first layer of polymer; a second layerof polymer; a laminate located between said first layer and said secondlayer; a cavity formed in said laminate, wherein a mechanical domeswitch is provided in said cavity; and a processor, wherein saidprocessor is electrically coupled with said dome switch.
 8. The paymentcard of claim 7, further comprising a capacitive touch sensor coupled tosaid processor.
 9. The payment card of claim 7, wherein said dome switchis coupled to a flexible printed circuit board.
 10. The payment card ofclaim 7, wherein said dome switch is coupled to a multiple-layerflexible printed circuit board.
 11. The payment card of claim 7, furthercomprising a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device.
 12. Thepayment card of claim 7, further comprising a protrusion, wherein saidprotrusion is aligned with said dome switch.
 13. The payment card ofclaim 7, further comprising a cavity, wherein said cavity is alignedwith said dome switch.
 14. A method of fabricating a card comprising:providing a first layer of polymer; providing a second layer of polymer:providing a flexible printed circuit board on said second layer;injecting a laminate in liquid form between said first and secondlayers; and hardening said laminate, wherein a cavity is provided insaid hardened laminate and a dome switch is located in said cavity. 15.The method of claim 14, further comprising printing personal informationon the exterior of said first layer of polymer after said liquidlaminate hardens.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising laserengraving personal information on the exterior of said first layer ofpolymer after said liquid laminate hardens.
 17. The method of claim 14,wherein said liquid laminate hardens at least in part due to heat. 18.The method of claim 14, wherein said liquid laminate hardens at least inpart due to pressure.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein said liquidlaminate hardens at least in part due to a substance.
 20. The method ofclaim 14, wherein said dome switch is electrically coupled to aprocessor.